Exploration of Victoria crater by the mars rover opportunity

  • S. W. Squyres
  • , A. H. Knoll
  • , R. E. Arvidson
  • , J. W. Ashley
  • , James Bell
  • , W. M. Calvin
  • , Philip Christensen
  • , B. C. Clark
  • , B. A. Cohen
  • , P. A. De Souza
  • , L. Edgar
  • , W. H. Farrand
  • , I. Fleischer
  • , R. Gellert
  • , M. P. Golombek
  • , J. Grant
  • , J. Grotzinger
  • , A. Hayes
  • , K. E. Herkenhoff
  • , J. R. Johnson
  • B. Jolliff, G. Klingelhöfer, A. Knudson, R. Li, T. J. McCoy, S. M. McLennan, D. W. Ming, D. W. Mittlefehldt, R. V. Morris, J. W. Rice, C. Schröder, R. J. Sullivan, A. Yen, R. A. Yingst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Mars rover Opportunity has explored Victoria crater, a ∼750-meter eroded impact crater formed in sulfate-rich sedimentary rocks. Impact-related stratigraphy is preserved in the crater walls, and meteoritic debris is present near the crater rim. The size of hematite-rich concretions decreases up-section, documenting variation in the intensity of groundwater processes. Layering in the crater walls preserves evidence of ancient wind-blown dunes. Compositional variations with depth mimic those ∼6 kilometers to the north and demonstrate that water-induced alteration at Meridiani Planum was regional in scope.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1058-1061
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume324
Issue number5930
DOIs
StatePublished - May 22 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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